U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday after a batch of economic data
indicated weaker-than-expected growth in the world's top
economies a day after the S&P 500 index closed at a record high.
The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 0.45 percent,
the Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 0.42 percent, and
the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 0.48 percent.

** MERCK & CO INC, $45.95, down 2 pct (1215 ET)

The drugmaker reported a surprising drop in quarterly sales
of diabetes medicine Januvia, its biggest product and a frequent
driver of quarterly earnings, and cut its full-year profit
forecast on Wednesday.